In the Hotel room, a Conch sat on the bedside table. The Bed sheets next to it were wrinkled; the person who had been lying there was already up.
“Ding ding…”
In the bathroom, the Smartphone Alarm Clock had just started ringing when a hand pressed it off.
She hadn’t expected to wake up even earlier than the Alarm Clock. Lin Yiren rinsed her mouth a few times, spat out the water, and looked up. In the mirror, the girl’s hair was messy, and there was still some unwashed foam around her mouth.
Next up…
Lin Yiren wiped away the foam and looked at the clothes nearby. A cream-white V-neck knit short-sleeved top, a custard-yellow pleated knee-high skirt, and a pair of ultra-thin White Silk Socks.
A sweet and fresh vibe seemed ready to overflow.
Lin Yiren swallowed hard, picked up her Smartphone, and clicked into her chat history with Jiang Xiaoxiao.
[Link]
[You should wear this style when the time comes.]
[Isn’t this what you love to wear?]
[No, no. In a way, we’re the same. If Huihui likes it, Chen Zhaoyue probably likes it too.]
[?]
[What if I wear something more dashing, like with a shirt tied around the waist?]
[That’s just not your style.]
The chat logs from a few days ago ended there. Lin Yiren curled her lip. What did she mean by “we’re the same”?
However, her gaze lingered on the words “Chen Zhaoyue likes it.”
The last outfit Chen Zhaoyue had tossed to her was similar to this one. Jiang Xiaoxiao might actually have some experience.
Lin Yiren picked up the delicate and cute skirt and held it against her waist.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t worn something like this before. She’d just treat it as part of the experience for this trip.
Even so, there was a difference between Chen Zhaoyue giving her something to wear and her choosing to wear it herself… it felt a bit different. The girl in the mirror had a pink flush on her face as she began to take off her top.
“Mmh…”
***
In the room, Chen Zhaoyue rubbed her eyes and sat up. She looked to her side and found that Lin Yiren was already up.
Was she in the bathroom? Chen Zhaoyue stretched, her feet fumbling around on the floor until she found her slippers.
“Yiren, are you in the bath—”
Her words were cut short as Chen Zhaoyue’s eyes widened. The curtains in the room hadn’t been drawn yet, and in the dimness, the bathroom door opened. Out of the white light stepped a refined and lovely young girl.
The White Silk Socks clung neatly to the skin of her calves. The slight sway of her skirt reminded Chen Zhaoyue of their High School youth.
“When did you buy this outfit?”
Chen Zhaoyue stood before her, her gaze heavy and focused as if she wanted to record every inch of the person in front of her.
Lin Yiren’s face was already burning hot, and with Chen Zhaoyue leaning in and speaking with such unusual softness, it only got worse.
“I forgot, I forgot. I—it must have been my Mama who bought it. Go wash up.” Lin Yiren kept her head down as she sidestepped Chen Zhaoyue and sat at the table, acting busy by rummaging through things.
Chen Zhaoyue followed her over.
“What are you doing?” Lin Yiren saw her suddenly squat down in front of her, her black hair level with Yiren’s thighs.
“Getting clothes.” Chen Zhaoyue’s tone was innocent as she opened her suitcase right next to her.
She could see the toes inside the White Silk Socks curling up. Yet, the person remained sitting bolt upright, tapping away on her Smartphone as if handling some vital business.
Chen Zhaoyue intentionally spent some time rummaging, and Lin Yiren watched as the top of her head swayed near her feet. She couldn’t really leave, so she could only tap back and forth through a few apps.
Finally, the Eldest Miss found the skirt she had placed on top and walked toward the bathroom with light steps.
Chen Zhaoyue’s grooming process inside was naturally more meticulous. Before she came out, there was movement from the Bed.
Lin Yiren put down her Smartphone and walked to the bedside, seeing that Xing Yao’s eyes were hazily opening.
“Mama?”
“I’m here.”
Seeing Xing Yao leaning toward her, Lin Yiren bent down and scooped her up.
“Since you’re awake, let’s get up.”
After helping Xing Yao change, Lin Yiren pulled back the curtains, letting the soft morning light fill the room.
Just then, the sound of the bathroom door opening came, and Chen Zhaoyue walked out. She was also exquisitely dressed, wearing a stylish T-shirt under an unbuttoned shirt and a smooth long skirt on the bottom. Her hair had been neatly styled, and her earrings shimmered like silver in the sunlight.
Lin Yiren’s gaze circled the room before finally landing on Chen Zhaoyue, then quickly wound its way back.
It was a blatant attempt at concealment.
Chen Zhaoyue smiled without saying a word. After packing up, they drove to the pier. The nearby islands were among Xicheng’s famous attractions.
***
Lin Yiren checked the time; there was still half an hour before the boat departed.
Chen Zhaoyue leaned against the back of the seat and said with a smile, “Didn’t you say before that what you wore didn’t matter? Were you trying to give me a surprise?”
Even the strands of hair on her forehead, which she usually left alone, were secured with a blue hair clip.
Lin Yiren’s pink lips pursed into a thin line.
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s words still rang in her ears—
“Does it matter where we go for the trip? No, no, no. The point is the person! If I dress up nicely, Huihui can stay in the Hotel all day without leaving.”
What could they do in a Hotel all day without leaving? Although she didn’t entirely agree with Jiang Xiaoxiao’s words, Lin Yiren still factored herself into “Chen Zhaoyue’s travel experience.”
“I suppose so,” she said vaguely.
The car arrived at the pier, where several white-topped yachts were already docked at the shore.
Lin Yiren called to contact the captain. After a moment, a man with a towel draped over his shoulder came running over, waving his hand. His exposed skin was tanned brown, and his arm muscles were well-developed.
“You’re the ones who booked the boat, right?” He grinned.
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go. Hey, chartering the whole thing yourself, quite generous.” The captain gave a thumbs up.
Lin Yiren and the others followed behind. Chen Zhaoyue walked beside Lin Yiren, covering her mouth and laughing in her ear.
“Eldest Miss Lin is quite generous.”
“Stop teasing me.” Lin Yiren gave her a gentle push, but she couldn’t help the corners of her own mouth from curling up.
“You’re wearing skirts, so watch your step.” The captain placed a wooden plank between the boat and the shore.
Lin Yiren picked up Xing Yao and walked across first, then reached out her hand to Chen Zhaoyue.
Their fair hands joined together under the sunlight as Chen Zhaoyue followed her lead across.
With one final pull from Lin Yiren’s arm, the long white skirt landed on the deck. Their distance suddenly closed, their hemlines brushing against each other, and their clasped hands hung by their sides.
As their eyes met, Lin Yiren wanted to let go, but her hand was held in a reverse grip.
Chen Zhaoyue’s hands were slightly more slender than hers.
“Let’s sit here.”
Chen Zhaoyue led her, then took Xing Yao’s small hand, and they sat down in the seats on the side.
“Here, life jackets. Although my boat is very steady, put them on just in case.” The captain brought over three life jackets: two large and one small.
Lin Yiren’s hand slipped out of Chen Zhaoyue’s as she took the life jackets.
Once she made sure they were all wearing them, the captain pushed the lever forward. The sound of the engine rose from below, propelling the boat forward.
The sea breeze blew, lifting the girls’ long hair. Fragmented sunlight fell on Lin Yiren’s plain face, and she squinted her eyes comfortably.
“Click.”
The sound of a shutter rang out. The image of the girl with her head tilted back and warm light floating on her face was frozen in time.
“Ah.” Lin Yiren heard the sound, opened her eyes, and looked at Chen Zhaoyue.
“I got a great photo.” Chen Zhaoyue laughed and waved her Smartphone, a few playful strands of hair dancing across her face.
“How is that even good?” The tips of Lin Yiren’s ears turned pink.
Xing Yao couldn’t sit still anymore and pulled on Chen Zhaoyue’s hand, wanting to take a photo too.
“Then let’s take a group photo.” Lin Yiren took out her Smartphone. Chen Zhaoyue nodded and pulled Xing Yao onto her lap.
“You come over too.”
Lin Yiren moved closer and held up the Smartphone.
The shutter clicked, and three smiling faces were captured in the photo. As the sunlight shone down on them, everything became lovely.
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